This week, the majority of children in New Zealand will be expected to return to school, however, for many families, sending children back to school is unaffordable.

Recent data on attendance rates in New Zealand paints a bleak picture. In term 3 of 2023, the Ministry of Education reported that only 45.9% of kiwi kids attended school or kura regularly. Recent data from the United States shows around 70% of children in the United States attend school regularly, even in the tail of COVID-19 and the face of the cost-of-living crisis. Given this comparison, it is clear that New Zealand is falling behind.

Poverty plays a large factor in attendance. Children are often kept at home because they are sharing uniforms or shoes, do not have food for lunch, or do not have the correct school supplies. Older children are often required to work to help support the family too. Tamaki College in Auckland reported that students were working up to 47 hours a week to help support their families.

Giving children the education they both need and deserve is a top priority of the Catalytic Foundation and its donors. We know that education is key to breaking the poverty cycle. We know that New Zealand needs a well-educated workforce to advance as participants on the world stage and to be able to provide better living conditions for future generations. We know that by working together, we can remove the barriers to education that children, particularly those living in poverty, face.

To address this issue, we support many grassroots charities throughout Aotearoa who help families and children deal with hardship and embrace education. We also support the charities we work alongside, schools, and other institutions with our Backpacks4Education campaign, which runs in the first quarter of each year.

The Backpacks4Education campaign ensures children have the essential equipment they need to go to school: a backpack, lunch box, drink bottle, pencil case and stationery, and workbooks.

We need your help, please consider getting your workplace involved and/or individually contribute to this campaign. We have opened up our giving platform for this campaign and also encourage people to sign up for regular payday giving. You will receive a tax invoice for the donations you make throughout the year.

Your generosity will not only help children living in hardship, but by having classes regularly attended by all students, every student in that class benefits because there are fewer disruptions with all children learning content at the same time. 

We are proud to have supported Te Hou Ora's successful Youth Justice programme in the Otago region in 2023. They shared this heartwarming story with us that demonstrates the level of impact they have on the lives of youth in their community. Thank you for helping this rangatahi, and many others, onto a prosperous path.

"We had a rangatahi move onto a Youth Development Plan from Supported Bail. At the time of this change the rangatahi was living in a residential house, with the intention of moving home with their family within the 6 months following their referral.

"The rangatahi had a lot going on in terms of family and mental health and was grateful for the supports that had been put in place to help them. We found that working alongside other professionals and building a good rapport with this individual would be key in ensuring their needs are able to be met. The rangatahi was willing to engage in activities, whether it be bike riding, walks along the beach, sports, even finding that pulling thread out of flax was a therapeutic activity. The rangatahi was tested in a group environment, there was a bit of hesitancy at first but got involved amongst their peers. Contact time with the rangatahi varied as they were enrolled in school where the rangatahi engaged well, and we were able to use some of our contact time to help with homework. Though there were times where incidents did happen within school, an instance resulting in suspension, the rangatahi got back into work as soon as they were allowed back. Whilst with us the rangatahi got on well with staff and enjoyed the chat provided both ways. The rangatahi was invested in current events and talked about what was going on in the world as well as how it was affecting them. The rangatahi often went on strike to show support for people struggling within New Zealand especially with job security and vaccine mandates.

"Being able to discuss these issues with the rangatahi and look at the possible pathways he would like to take in the future, it made sense that in the long term they were wanting to study Law in the hope of becoming a Youth Advocate. Being involved in pro social activities as well as having a good rapport with staff, engaging well with school, enabling the rangatahi the safe space to talk, coinciding with the support of other professionals, the rangatahi was equipped with the tools to complete their Youth Development Plan. The rangatahi was later placed onto mentoring with us and during this time they made the successful transition home with family."

Isolation is very much a reality for sole parent/caregiver families, having limited support from other family members and friends. Birthright has regional branches that keep in regular contact to support families and their individual family needs. 

Families have shared their feelings of not being able to have any respite, as having to be available for their children 24/7. This can take a toll on mental health and well-being, as they are the only adult in the household. Basic needs such as food, heating, clothing and bedding have also increased during this time, making stress levels even higher.

Donations to the Catalytic Community Fund help to ensure sole parents/caregivers and their children are supported and getting what they need. 

Birthright supports families to be nurtured, inspired and resilient, and is the only organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand that specialises in working with families led by one person. This support is vital now more than ever before because of the cost-of-living crisis. Sole parent families can be a mother, father, grandmother, other whanau member or adult. They are some of the most vulnerable groups in our society, and we can assist them in their time of need. 

All DONATIONS to the Catalytic Foundation Community Grants are tax deductible and 100% (less credit card fee) and you can nominate charities in your region to get the support. 

As we enter 2024, we would like to take some time to shine a spotlight on some of the charities we supported with grants and other initiatives in 2023. One of the organisations that really stood out to us was Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (https://www.facebook.com/grg.org.nz) (GRG), who operate throughout the country including in Southland, Whanganui, Canterbury, and Otago.

This amazing organisation supported 796 caregiver families, 1356 grandparent and whānau/kin caregivers, and 2573 tamariki and rangatahi last year. What a monumental effort!

GRG shared with us the impact their support and advocacy had for a grandmother who was facing challenges obtaining the unsupported child benefit. They told us that GRG played a crucial role in helping the grandmother file a court application and obtain interim custody of her grandchildren. Regarding obtaining financial assistance for the family in the form of the unsupported child benefit, GRG said:

"The journey to secure UCB was marked by declined applications, rejections, and missed hearings due to communication gaps. However, her determination, combined with GRG’s steadfast backing, proved unstoppable. Through GRG’s support, she reapplied, advocating for retroactive payments, resulting in an astounding $10,571.22 in UCB arrears payments."

GRG's support extends beyond advocacy services. GRG explained further, "Beyond financial advocacy, GRG provided crucial emotional support and guidance, becoming an unwavering source of strength. In the face of adversity, GRG emerged as a reliable pillar, ensuring that grandparents raising grandchildren and whanau/kin carers not only receive essential resources but also the encouragement needed for their journey."

It is clear how necessary GRG's services are within our communities to improve the lives of children being raised by their grandparents and whānau/kin caregivers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! We appreciate everything you do.

We are incredibly grateful to have experienced such heartwarming support for the 2023 Christmas Shoebox Project!

Here are the highlights of the campaign which provided over 2905 Christmas boxes for kiwi kids around Aotearoa.

SANTA'S GROTTO HAS BEEN BUSY

In Auckland we are thankful for the gracious support of SkyCity, who opened the doors of Federal House to us so we could set up Santa's Grotto - a bustling hub for packing and distribution in the heart of the Auckland CBD. 

In Wellington we are thankful for the help from Wellington Helicopters and East by West Ferries, who helped out in so many ways to get the boxes in, sorted and distributed to charity partners.

In Christchurch, thank you to Mike and the team at Christchurch Community House, always a pleasure to work with you. 

In Dunedin, Thank you to Steve and Sue at Volunteer South and the Dunedin Community House. 

Also, in Dunedin thank you to Laura and the team at Forsyth Barr who opened their doors for over 20 volunteers to sort and wrap boxes. 

CORPORATE TEAMS LENT US THEIR MAGIC

The true stars of the Christmas Shoebox Project? 171 volunteers from Auckland, Wellington, Whanganui, Canterbury, and Otago. We're immensely grateful to SkyCity, Hays Recruitment, Grant Thornton, Rockwell Automation, JETNZ, NZ Post, Spark, Cavell Leitch, Forsyth Barr, Chorus and Volunteer South for their invaluable help in organising gifts, volunteers and the assembling many of the boxes.

DONATIONS OF SPECIAL ITEMS RECEIVED

A special acknowledgement goes to those who generously provided incredible products for the boxes — Deloitte, Dow (Mike and Mel Robb), Pitney Bowes, the NZ Dental Association, NZ Olympic Committee, PlaceMakers, Scholastic Books, Author Karen McMillian, Arvida, Kohler, and The Soap Factory. whose contributions made these Christmas boxes extra special.

A NEW MILESTONE THIS CHRISTMAS

This year marked an extraordinary milestone for us as we collaborated with the NZ Team and PlaceMakers on the 'Give the Gift of Play' campaign. A heartfelt thank you to the NZ Olympic Committee and athletes for contributing sports gear, and to PlaceMakers for hosting collection boxes. Together, we amassed 143 items that will bring joy to kids all over the country.

In the South Island, Dunedin's Golden Centre Mall hosted a special display to help people donate gifts resulting in an array of lovely gifts. 

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

We could not run this campaign without the charity relationships we have, and their reach into the community. Thank you for supporting whānau throughout Aotearoa, from Invercargill to Kaitaia.

Special thanks to Lyttleton Community House, Corstorphine Community Hub in Dunedin and Hakeke St Community Centre in Whanganui, who got their communities involved in the Christmas Shoebox Project and community Christmas events.

UP NEXT: BACKPACKS 4 EDUCATION

As we turn our eyes to 2024, we're excited to announce our next campaign. In the lead up to the new school year, we'll be seeking monetary support and donations of school supplies and devices for children in need. We'll also be looking for teams of volunteers to help put backpacks together. If you or your team would like to contribute, please reach out to us now. Let's keep the spirit of giving alive. 

Thank you once again to everybody involved for your incredible support.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to making a difference together in 2024.

Thank you to Rockwell Automation for volunteering with the  Christmas Shoebox Project and Backpacks4Education campaigns.

We had fun putting together over 200 Christmas boxes and backpacks filled with lovely gifts and items for School.

These items will be distributed to families, nominated by our community partners, in time for Christmas.

Thank you also to SkyCity Entertainment Group for hosting our Santa's Grotto in Auckland.

This is where our volunteers will be busy making up the special boxes of gifts until Christmas🎄 👍

Chubb Insurance Team supports I AM HOPE 

Why are the team at CHUBB Insurance doing this WALK FOR HOPE fundraiser on Friday, October 13th?

Last year 3500 young people tried to take their lives. To honour these young people, we are doing a 3.5km WALK FOR HOPE with Gumboots, that's a minimum of 3500 steps per person!

The WALK FOR HOPE starts at the CHUBB Insurance office, Princes Wharf and follows a trail around Auckland's Viaduct with fun activities on the way.

To follow the activities on social media #IAMHOPE #Youthmentalhealth #catalyticfoundation

Please support our WALK FOR HOPE by donating here and help us raise $3,500 in donations for I AM HOPE and youth counselling services.

When you donate you will receive a tax-deductible receipt from the Catalytic Foundation. All donations will go to I AM HOPE and Youth Counselling services.

Please cheer our teams on and consider donating to this important cause.

Donate Here 

*Walk For Hope has been organised by the CATALYTIC FOUNDATION as part of our Youth Mental Health Campaign

Thank you to the amazing team of volunteers from Deloitte who spent their day making up backpacks with educational supplies including: pens, pencils, sharpeners, highlighter, educational books, writing pads, felt tip pens, coloured pencils, pencil cases, lunchboxes and drink bottles.

The backpacks are for children in families affected by the floods, Cyclone Gabrielle and/or the cost of living crisis.

Thank you to Deloitte for also donating new laptop bags and digital charging units, these are currently being distributed to community charities around the country who know of individuals and families in need of these items. 

Deloitte people draw on our collective experience and ingenuity to make an impact that matters for our colleagues, Deloitte clients and society. Deloitte 2022 Global Impact Report

We welcome your feedback in 2023

If you are part of a community organisation we invite you to complete this 4 minute survey as a check on your organisation's well-being and your community needs in 2023.  

In our four previous community needs surveys since the Covid-19 pandemic started, we have gathered important feedback about the effect of the pandemic and cost of living crisis on community organisations around Aotearoa.  The results of the surveys are collated by the Catalytic Foundation to help us advocate for your organisation and community with philanthropists, employers, government and donors. 

Click here to fill out the 2023 Community Needs survey

Topline Findings from our previous Community Needs Research from September 2022:   

• 85.37% of charities continued to be impacted by the pandemic and cost of living increases in the last year.
• 81.71% of community charities have seen an increase in demand in the previous year.
• 57.82% of charities needed additional support for operational costs and expenses
• 55% of charities require laptops to support their services.
• 35% of charities needed professional volunteer skills such as legal, IT and accounting to help them with their services.

Anecdotal themes emerging

• Demand for community services have increased, however, charities are commenting that if additional funding isn't found they may have to reduce services.              
• Many charities comment increased anxiety levels among the community.
• Additional staff are required and burn out is an issue.
• Donations of money and basic requirements for clients, such as food and quality linen/clothing, are appreciated.